Seaming head



Sept. 11, 1934. s B|RKLAND 1,972,862

SEAMING HEAD Filed July 6, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNE S. BIRKLAND SEAMING HEAD Sept. 11, 1934.

Filed July 6, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR W ATTORNEY Sept. 11, 1934. s. BIRKLAND 1,972,862 SEAMING HEAD I Filed July 6, 1931 6 Sheets-Shet 4 m BY 2,67 ATTORN p 1934. s. BIRKLAND 1,972,362

sEAMIfie HEAD Filed July 6, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR m M ATTORNE Sept. 11, 1934. s. BIRKLAND 2 SEAMING HEAD Filed July 6, 1951 e Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR BY ATTORN Patented Sept-11,1934 it UNITED STATES. PATENT oFFlCE SEAMING HEAD Stellan Birkland, sen Francisco, Calii'., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey 1 Application July 6, 1931, Serial No. 548,951 18 Claims. (01. 113-24) The present invention relates to seaming heads Referring to the drawings: such as are used in the interiolding of flanges of Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view, partly metallic containers and their covers and has more broken away of the improved seaming head and particular reference to a seaming mechanism its associated actuating mechanism, a seamed can J adaptable for elliptical shaped cans. and cover being illustrated in seaming position; The principal object of the present invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view is the provision of a seaming mechanism for ellipthrough the seaming head being taken substantitical cans wherein the seeming elements are so ally along the broken line 2-2 in Fig. 3; controlled in their paths of travel around the can Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view of the seaming 10 and cover being seamed as to be in proper posihead taken substantially along the line 3-3 in tion at all stages of the seaming cycle, thus insur- Fig. 2; ing the correct following of the contour of the Fig. 4 is a plan, sectional view taken substantielliptical container and cover while bending or ally along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

interfolding their flanges into the proper ellip- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a por- 15 tical seam. tion of the seaming head, as viewed along the An important object of the invention is the probroken line 5--5 in Fig. 4; vision of a seaming mechanism for elliptical cans, Fig. 6 is a plan sectional detail taken substanhaving seaming elements which are rotatably cartially along the line 6=-6 in Fig. 2; ried around the can and cover and are 'simul-' Fig. 7 is an under or bottom plan view of the 20 taneously carried throughindependent circular seaming head, as viewed from a plane indicated paths so that an elliptical path of travel is proby the broken line 7'7 in Fig. 2; duced. Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view, partly broken An important object of the invention is the proaway, taken substantially along the line 8-8 in vision of devices in an automatic seaming head Fig. 1; and

25 for shifting the seaming elements into proper Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are diagrammatic plan views relation to the elliptical can and cover being of parts of the principal seaming and chuck eleseamed, this shifting action compensating for ments illustrating diiferent stages of seaming, the changes in shape between the periphery of projected paths of travel of a seaming roller elethe extended non-seamed flanges of the can and ment being graphically sho 30 cover and the periphery of the finally seamed The present invention is rected to an appaflanges, ratus for seaming an elliptical shaped container An important object of the invention is the prowherein a rotating seaming head is caused to vision, in a seaming head, of a mechanism for move ata relatively high speed arounda container effecting a rotation between the can and cover and cover which isprefe rably clamped between being seamed and the seaming elements while a stationary chuck and a stationary plunger or controlling in and out movement of the seaming can support. A pair of first operation seaming elements relative to the central axis of the can to rollers and a. similar pair of second operation insure following of the periphery of the flanges of seaming rollers are bodily carried by the rotating the can and cover while performing consecutively head. These rollers are eccentrically mounted 4 the necessary firsttand second operations of seamon the lower ends of vertically disposed spindles m which are continually rotated by geared connec- A further object of the invention is the provi-' tion with a centralgear. sion of an automatic seaming head adapted to This rotation of the spindles causes the seamrotate around a. clamped and stationary elliptical. ing rollers to be moved in and out toward and container and cover, the path of travel of the away from the central axis of the chuck, the ec- 1 seaming elements carried by the head being autocentricity of the mountings of the rollers on the matically shifted from time to time to compensate spindles insuring inward movement of the rollers for the differences in contour of the peripheries when traversing the narrow sides of the elliptical of the flanges of the can and cover as they are can adjacent the short axis and outward movealtered by the seaming operations. ment of the rollers when traversing the wide sides 1105 Numerous other objects of the invention will be adjacent the long axis thereof. apparent as it is better understood from the 101- The unseamed flanges of the can and cover lowing description, which, taken in connection projects beyond the body wall of the can, the v with the accompanying drawings, disclosesapreouter periphery thereof extending in a larger {erred embodiment thereof. elliptical curve than thecurve of the finished 11 discharged.

mounted in a lever for this purpose and the levers seam and this makes it necessary to further coordinate or adjust the travel of the seaming rollers when engaging the extended flanges of the canand cover and as the flanges are interfolded .in the seam, correction in travel is made for the diminishing size of the seamed parts. This compensating action is preferably effected by a controlled shifting of the rotation of the seaming spindles.

The combined movements of rotation of the seaming head, rotation of the seaming roller.

spindles and the compensating movements on the latter insure the proper travel of the seaming rollers around the clamped can and cover. Independent in and out movements of the seaming rollers are provided for performing the first and second operations of seaming and for clearing the can and cover as they are chucked and Each seaming roller spindle is arebodily shifted to bring the rollers into seaming positions.

.The can after being seamed is removed from the head by a lowering of the can support, being positively ejected from the chuck by a knockout mechanism. This is followed in uninterrupted order by the replacement of a succeeding unseamed can while the can support is in its lowered position. This cycle of operations continues without-any cessation in rotation of the seaming head, all of the parts being so synchronized as to insure proper intercorrelation between the various operations.

The pre erred form of apparatus disclosed in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the present invention comprises a housing or frame 51 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) having an upper gear section 52 preferably formed integrally therewith. This support housing or frame "51 maybe part of a seaming machine of either the single spindle are mounted. A ertically extending shaft 55 has sliding moveme within the bearings 54 and carries a plunger or can support 56 on its upper end. I It is on this support that a container 57 and its cover 58 are positioned prior to seaming.

The shaft 55 is adapted to be raised and lowered by a cam control device, a collar 61 being secured to the shaft intermediate the bearings 54 and being engaged by pins 62 carried on the forward end of a lever.63 pivoted on a stud 64 carried in a bracket 65 formed as an integral part of the casing 53. The opposite end of the lever 63 carries a cam roller 66 which operates within a cam groove 67 formed in a cam 68 keyed to a vertical shaft 69. The shaft 69 is iournaled in a bearing 71 formed in the housing 51 and in bearings 72 formed in the gear housing section 52. i

The shaft 69 is continually rotated, a worm gear 73 secured, to the shaft being provided for this purpose. The gear 73 meshes witha worm 74 mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 75 journaled in bearings76 formed in the gear section 52. The shaft 75 has rotating power applied thereto as through a belt pulley 77 mounted o the shaft exterior of the housing.

The seaming head is suspended from the housing 51 and comprises a lower. body 81, (Figs. 1 and 2), an upper body 82 and a cover plate 83. The bodysections and the cover plate are bolted together by vertically extending studs 84 threadedly engaging the lower body 81 and extending upwardly through the cover plate 83 where they are engaged by locknuts '85. Theseaming head body parts 81, 82, 83 revolve around astationary chuck 91 which is secured by screws 92 to an enlarged head 93 formed on the lower end of a vertically extending chuck spindle 94' passing upwardly through the seaming head, a ball bearing unit being interposed between the chuck spindle and seaming head body 81.

The upper end of the chuck spindle 94 is threadedly engaged in a clamp bracket 95 which is mounted upon andcarried by a frame 96 formed as an integral part of, and extending forwardly from, the gear housing 52. A clamping bearing frame 97 is secured by bolts to the frame 96 which is further clamped to the gear housing 52. An outer circular guard plate 99 is secured to the housing 52 and rests beneath the housing 98, this plate enclosing the front of the seaming head.

The frame 96 at its lower end is extended forwardly and rounded out as a circular boss 101 (Fig. 2) which is threaded at 102 to securely hold a clamping nut 103 and parts carried thereby. The nut 103 locks an inner ring 104 of an antifrictional ball bearing unit 105 to the boss 101. An outer ball race 106 of the unit 105 is clamped in a seat 107 formed in acup gear 108 which is internally threaded at 109to provide engagement for a clamping disc 111. The gear 108 is'formed with bevel gear teeth which mesh with a bevel gear 116 keyed at 117 to the forward end of the shaft 75. Rotation of the shaft 75, through the gear elements 116, 115 is thus transmitted to the cup gear 108.

The gear 108 is provided with a downwardly extending body sleeve 121 which is located on and encloses the lower part of the chuck spindle 94. The sleeve 121 terminates in a threaded bottom end 122 which provides engagement for a.

locknut 123. This locknut supports an inner body" 'sleeve 124 of the lower seaming head body'8l, a

washer 125 being interposed between the nut and the sleeve-. The parts 121, 124 are also keyed together at 126. The entire seaming head and parts -carried thereby are thus supported from above on the bearing unit 105 and turn with the sleeve 121 and gear 108 at a uniform speed of travel.

Theseaming head carries four vertically ex- 7 tending pivot pins 131' (Figs. 2 and 5), each pin. being held in fixed position within a boss 132,

formed in the lower body 81. and'within a boss 133 formed in a web 134 of the upper body 82.

A seaming lever 135 is pivotally mounted on each pin 131. these four levers being carried around with the rotating seaming head. eOne end of each lever is enlarged to provide a boss or sleeve section 136 in which is formed a vertical central bore 137 and two enlarged end counterbores 138, 139. The sleeve section 136 of each lever is enlarged. top and bottom, into bosses 141. 142 to providethe necessary stock surrounding the counterbor'es. Stationary'elements 143, 144,- of ball bearing units 145, 146 are located in the counterbores.

A seaming roller spindle or shaft 151 (Fig. 2) is rotatably mounted in the sleeve section 136 of each seaming lever 135, each shaft carrying movable elements 152, 153 of the respective bearrollers are rotatably mounted upon studs 195 proing units 145, 146. A bushing 154 is locatedin the bore 137 and is interposed between each set of bearing elements 152, 153 and assists in aligning the spindle shaft within its lever.

The lower end of each shaft 151 is provided with an enlarged head 161 which is positioned beneath the bearing unit 146 and the upper end of the shaft extends into a reduced threaded neck 162 which is threadedly engaged by a lock? nut 163. A gear 164 is keyed to and mounted upon the upper end of each shaft 151 and its hub rests against the bearing element 152. A washer 165 is clamped against the gear 164 being held in position by the locknut 163. This locknut securely holds the parts 153, 154, 152 and 164 as.

a solid unit with the shaft spindle by clamping these parts between the shaft head 161 and washer 165. This construction provides a spindle shaft which is free to turn within the enlarged end 136 of the lever 135 and one in which vertical movement is prevented.

The lower body 81 (Figs. 2 and '7) is cutaway at 171 adjacent each of the lever ends 136 to allow clearance thereof during movement of the lever and the horizontal web 134 of the upper body 82 is similarly recessed at 173 to provide clearance for the shaft 151 and gear 164 extending above the lever end. This web 134 adjacent the recess 173 is counterbored at 1'74 to accommodate 'a washer 175 and a second washer 176 is mounted on the upper face of the lever boss 136 and partially encloses the bearing unit 145. A washer 177 is also provided, being secured by a screw 178 against the bottom surface of the web 134. I The washers 176, 1'77 have sliding movement one on the other during movement of the lever 135. A collar 181 surrounds the reduced hub of the gear 164 and is provided with a horizontal flange 182 which extends over and slides upon the upper face of the washer 175. The flange 182 of the collar 181 is'slotted at 183 to accommodate a pin 184 set into the web 134. This. slotted connection allows lateral sliding movement of each collar 181as the associated seaming lever 135 rocks on its pivot 131 and as its spindle shaft 151 rotates, the flange 182 maintaining a closure plate for the opening 173. Two first operation rollers 193 (Figs. 2 and 7) and two second operation rollers 194 are preferably used in the seaming head; These seaming jecting downwardly from each spindle head 161. The two first operation rollers are arranged diametrically opposite each other and the two second operation rollers are similarly diametrically disposed but at right angles to the first operation rollers.

, Each seaming roller 193 or 194 is rotatably held on its stud 195 by means of a washer 196 held on to the lower end of the stud by a screw, 197 and a washer 198 is interposed between the upper face of the roller and the lower face of the head 161. Such a mounting for each seaming roller allows it to rotate freely on its vertical stud and it is bodily moved with its seaming lever and spindle shaft.

Each stud 195 is eccentrically mounted relative to the center of its spindle shaft 151 by a distance equal to one-half of the difierence between the long and short axes of the chuck 91. This amount of eccentricity, upon rotation of the individual shaft 151 moves its roller toward and away from the central axis of the chuck so that as the seaminghead is rotated around the chuck the roller will describe an elliptic path of travel.

other so that'one roller is at the'end of the long axis of the chuck, for example, when its companion roller is at the opposite end of the long axis.

Rotation of the shaft 151 to effect this eccentric movement of the seaming rollers is provided by a geared connection, illustrated in'Figs. 2 and 3.

For this purpose the upper end of each pivot pin 131 is reduced in diameter at 201 to provide a support for a composite gear 202 rotatably mounted thereon. This gear 202 rests upon a washer 203 which in turn rests upon the shoulder formed by the junction of the two diameters of the pin 131.

Anti-frictional bearings 204, .205 are located between the gear 202 and the pin section, 201

being held in position with the gear by a stud 206- having a head 207 which rests on top of the gear 202. This allows free turning of the gear upon the pivot pin. Each gear 202 is provided with gear teeth 208 which mesh with one' of its companion gears 164. he gear 202is also provided with gear teeth 209 hich mesh with a gear 211 1 formed on the lower end of a gear collar 212 loosely mounted on. an auxiliary bushing 213 which has a supporting shoulder 214 at its bottom end. The upper end of the auxiliary bushing 213 is grooved at 215 for clamping connection with the housings 51 and 98. l

The gear collar 212 at certain times has slight oscillatory movement around the central axis of the seaming head, as will be hereinafter explained, but otherwise it is stationary. During the stationary or rest periods of the gear collar each gear section 209 traverses the teeth 211 at' a uniform speed, this being as the seaming head revolves around the chuck. Rotation of the gear .202 on its supporting pin 201, through the gear 208, produces a similar rotation of the associated gear 164. The gear 164 in turn rotates the associated seaming shaft spindle 151 and carries the seaming roller in. and out for its proper travel.

A further independent movement of the seaming rollers 193, 194 toward and away from the axis of the .chuck is necessary for seaming and this is obtained by a bodily shifting of their associated seaming levers 135. Each seaming lever is slotted at 225 ('Figs..2 and 4) to provide'for a lever arm 226 loosely mountedon the pin 131.

Each arm 226 extends inside of its associated lever 135 or towards the center of the seaming head and its inner end is bifurcated at 227 to provide spaced supports for a vertically disposed pinin being loosely mounted upon the pin 228. A boss 232 (Figs. 4 and 5) is also formed in the lever arm and a hardened steel plate 233 is positioned against and fixed to the boss.

The end of each lever 135 opposite to its en-'-' larged end 136 is laterally bored and threaded at 234 for the reception of an adjusting set screw 235 held in adjusted position on the lever by a locknut 236. The lever 135 at this end is recessed and carries a button 23'! which supports one end of a. clamping spring 238 interposed between the lever formed in the outer wall of a sleeve double cam a conical seat 245 formed in the body sleeve.

relative difference in rotation between the double 3 242 and provides the cam surface againstwhich the first operation cam rollers engage. A second cam track 243 just below the cam track 241 provide the working surfaces for the cam rollers of the second operation seaming rollers.

The double cam 242 (Figs. 4 and 5) is rotatably mounted outside of and turns on the body sleeve 124, a lower tapered edge 244 of the cam engaging The cam 242 and the body sleeve 121 produces a slow rate of travel therebetween, the cam making onehalf of one revolution relative to the body sleeve during the entire seaming head cycle. This cycle includes not only the formation of the first and second operation seams but also the placing of the can and cover into seaming position and the removal from the head after seaming.

This relative rotation of the cam is effected by means of gearing, associated with the drive shaft 75. The upper end of the cam 242 is provided with four upwardly extending tongues 251 (Figs. 2, 5, and 6) which protrude into four slots 252 formed on the bottom end of a sleeve gear 253 which is rotatably disposed between the body sleeve 121 and the auxilia bushing 213.

The sleeve gear 253 is enl rged at its upper end into a horizontal shoulder 2 4 which bears against an upper formed end 255 of the auxiliary bushing 213 and which engages a washer 256 resting on the clamping surfaces of the frames 52, 98. A circular wall 257 projects upwardly from the shoulder part 254 and its upper edge is provided with gear teeth 258. These gear teeth 258 are located outside of and directly beneath the gear teeth 115 of the body sleeve 121 as best shown in Figs. 1-

and ,2.

The gear teeth 258 mesh with a bevel gear 261 secured by bolts 262 to the gear 116. The gears 116, 261 move together with the drive shaft and severally engage and rotate the gears 115, 258 but the gear ratio between the two gear sets differs which gives-the necessary differential for the relative movement between the body sleeve 121 and the cam 242.

ter the double seam has been completed, un-

der the proper a tion of the seaming rollers just described, the can d cover are ejected from the seaming head as the plunger 56 is lowered. This ejecting device comprises a knockout pad 2'75 (Fig. 2) carried on the lower end of a vertically disposed knockout rod 276 extending throughout the length of the chuck'spindle 94. The upper end of the knockout rod 276 carries a collar member 277 (Fig. 1) having a groove 278 which is engaged by inwardly projecting pins 279 carried on the forward bifurcated end of a knockout lever 281 pivoted at 282 on a bracket 283 supported upon a shelf 284 formed in the gear housing 52. The opposite end of the lever 281 carries a cam roller 285 which operates within a cam groove 286 of a barrel cam 287 keyed to the upper end of the shaft 69.

1 The knockout lever mechanism just described is housed within a casing cover 288carried on the upper end of the gear housing 52. ltotation ment will now be explained. Without'any such movement, that is with a stationary gear 211, rotation of the seaming spindles 151 is uniform as the'seaming head revolves at a uniform rate of travel and the resulting elliptic path of travel of a seaming roller is of the same shape and size as that of the can wall.

The seaming rollers 193, 194, however, in order to clear the extending and enlarged unfianged can and cover as they are positioned on the chuck 91, are spaced apart from the edge by shifting of the seaming levers. The beginning of the seaming movement of the rollers, therefore, takes place from this greater diameter distance. To produce a uniformly tight seam the seaming roller path must be corrected or compensated and this is preferably done by an oscillation of the gear be had thereto.

In moving the seaming rollers to their outermost positions, not only is the center of each roller shifted a greater distance from the center of the chuck but by reason of the necessary movement of the seaming lever 135 around the center of the pivot 131, the center of the seaming roller is moved laterally of the center line of the chuck.

The long axis of the chuck 91 is indicated by the letters a-0, the short axis by the letters b-0. The outside periphery of the chuck, indicated by the letter W, is of elliptical shape to fit within the channel of the can cover 58 and this is unaltered in the three views.

In Fig. 9, the outside periphery of the unseamed flange of the can cover is in cated by the letter X, this line being parallel to he outer edge of the chuck periphery W. The outside diameter of the contacting seaming surface of a seaming roller 193 or 194 is indicatedby the letter c and the orbit of the roller center around the center e of the spindle 151 is indicated by the letter d. The center of the pivot 131 of the seaming let er is designated by the letter J. a

In Fig. 9, the seaming roller seaming surface 0 is clear of and out of contact with'the outer periphery X of the can cover 58, this being the position of partswhen a can and cover are clamped against the chuck 91. In this spread or outermost position ofthe roller its center d is removed or laterally displaced from the axis ao of the chuck.

The elliptical path of travel which would be produced by the innermost points of tangency of the seaming surface 0 of the roller, indicated by the letter Y, it will be observed, is not in coincidence'with the chuck axis. In other words, the long axis of such an elliptic path of travel, (nu-0) and the short axis thereof (no) do not coincide with the axes a-o, b-o. The resulting seam would be uneven, tight in one place and loose in another, as would be producedby a stationary gear collar 212.

It is necessary, therefore, in order to make an even seam, to shift the axis m-o and n-o about the center 0 and bring them into coincidence with the axes H and bo. Such a shifting of the path of travel of the'seaming roller is efiected by' an oscillation of the gear collar 212 on the vertical axis of the seaming head. As the seaming proceeds and the outer periphery of the seam gets smaller and smaller other shifting or compensation is made (Fig. 11)

In actual practice the shifting of the axes m-o, n--o is at all times so performed as to keep these axes in coincidence with the axes a o,

11-0. The difference in position between the fanciful line Y and the cover periphery X never actually exists and is only illustrated and described to more clearly point out the compensating operation.

The mechanism for accomplishing this compensation is perhaps best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. A collar 301 is keyed at 302 to the upper end of the gear collar 212 and an arm 303 projects outwardly therefrom. The arm 303 extends through an opening 304 formed in the frame 51 and its end carries a cam roller 305 which operates within a cam groove 306 formed in a face cam 307 keyed to the shaft 69 directly beneath the lower bearing 72.

Rotation of the cam 307 throughout certain periods, slightly oscillates the arm 303 and the collar 301 causing a corresponding shifting of the gear 211. Such a shifting movement transmitted through the composite gear 202 varies the uniform rotation of the roller shafts 151 as just described; The seaming rollers 193, 194 carried thereby are thus caused to move in the 'proper corrected path of travel or into coincidence at'all times with the periphery of the flange of the can cover being seamed. V

It will be observed that the mechanism just described controls the position of the seaming rollers throughout all stages of the seaming operation so that their paths of travel will properly follow the periphery of the flange of the can cover regardless of the stage of seaming and the exact shape of the partially completed can cover seam. Furthermore, the principal movements in the seaming head are rotary and, therefore, adapted to high speed.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form. constructionand arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing-all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described bein v merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: I g 1. In a seaming head for elliptical seaming, the

combination of a stationary elliptical chuck for;

1 cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path i of travel, and means for shifting said rollers into seaming and non-seaming position.

2; In aseaming head for elliptical seaming, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck, it

support plunger positioned in axial alignment and adapted to cooperate with said chuck for holding anelliptical can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement around said chuck and can and cover held thereby, seaming rollers carried by said body, a central gear and connections for moving said seaming rollers toward and away from the central axis of said chuck during rotation of said head to cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path of travel, and means for shifting said rollers into seaming and nonseaming position. I

3. In a seaming head for elliptical seaming, the combination of an elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement relative to said chuck,

seaming rollers carried by said body, eccentric means and a central toothed gear for moving said seaming rollers in and out during the relative movement between said chuck and body to cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path of travel, said eccentric means causing the said roller. path of travel to be parallel with the peripheral seam parts of the can and cover, and means for moving said seaming rollers into and out of seaming position.

4.' In a seaming head for elliptical seaming, the

combination of an elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement relative to said chuck, seaming rollers carried bysaid body, eccentric .rotary means and a central toothed gear for moving said seaming rollers toward and away from the central axis of said chuck during the relative movement between it and said body to cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path of travel, said eccentric means acting. on said rotary means to cause said roller path of travel to be parallel with the elliptical contour of. the can, and other means acting on said rollers for moving them into seaming and non-seaming position.

5. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, the

combination of a stationary elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover tobe seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement around said chuck, seaming rollers carried by said body, eccentric rotary means and a central toothed gear for moving said seaming rollers toward and away from the central axis of said chuck while being carried around with said body to cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path of travel and for causing said roller path of travel to be parallel with the periphery of the can and cover flanges being seamed,'and. other means for moving saidseaming rollers into and out of seaming position. I

' 6. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck, a support plunger positioned in axial alignment and adapted to cooperate with said chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement around said chuck, seaming rollers carried by said ,body, rotary means and a central toothed gear for moving said seaming rollers toward and away from the central axis of said chuck while being carried around with s'aid'body to cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path of travel and for-causing said roller path of travel to be parallel with the periphery of the can and cover flanges being seamed, and other means for moving said seaming rollers into and out'of seaming position.

7. In a seaming'head for elliptical'shapes, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck for flanges being seamed, and means for oscillating said levers relative to said body for moving said seaming rollers into and out of seaming position.

8. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming 4 head body having rotative movement around-said chuck, a plurality of seaming levers carried by said body, first operation rollers carried by certain of said levers and'second operation rollers carried by the other of said levers, rotarygearing for moving said rollers relative to and on said levers during the rotation of said head to *cause said rollers to describe elliptical paths of travel corresponding to the elliptical can and cover being seamed, and means for oscillating said levers to move said seaming rollers into and out orseaming position. I

9. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement around said chuck, a plurality of seaming levers carried by said body, first operation rollers carried by certain of said levers and second operation rollers carried by the other of said levers, means'for moving said rollers on said levers during the rotation of said head to cause said rollers to describe elliptical paths of travel corresponding to the elliptical can and cover being seamed, means also I acting on said rollers for causing their paths of travel to be parallel with the elliptical flanges of the can parts being seamed, 'and means ior oscillating said levers to move said seaming rollers into and out of seaming position.

10. In a seaming headfor elliptical shapes, the combination of a stationary chuck, a seaming head having relative movement around the chuck, seaming-levers pivotally mounted on the head,

.rotary spindles carried by said levers,.'seaming rolls mounted on said spindles eccentrically thereto, a gear concentric with the seaming head and turnable relative thereto, gearing connecting said concentric gear with said spindlles, means for oscillating said concentric gear to swing the seaming rolls relative to the axes of said spindles to' cause the seaming .rolls to follow an elliptical path around the chuck, and means for swinging said levers togive seaming operation to said rolls.

11. In a seaming head i'orelliptical seaming, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck,

,a support plunger positioned in axial alignment and adapted to cooperate with said chuck for holding an elliptical can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement around said chuck and can and cover held thereby, seaming rollers carried by said body, means having an eccentricity equal to one ,half of the difference between the short and long axes of said elliptical chuck for moving said seaming rollers toward and away from the central axis of said chuck during rotation of said head tacause said rollers to describe in elliptical path of travel,

andmeans for shifting said rollers into seaming and non-seaming position.

12. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, the combination of a stationary elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movement around the axis of said chuck, seaming levers carried by said body, seaming rollers carriedby said levers and movable inwardly and outwardly and following an elliptical path around the chuck, a sleeve cam mounted on said bodyand having a differt rate of rotation around the axis of said guck, and lever arms interposed between said le ers and said cam for imparting movement to said levers and the seaming rollers carried thereby for performing the seaming operation on the said can and cover, and a central gear. and pinions for moving the seaming rolls.

13. In a head for seaming elliptical shapes, in combination, a seaming element on said head and movable relative thereto and adapted to be carried around the head in a certain path, and gearing and movable parts on said head and connecting the seaming element with an operative part of the head comprising a central toothed gear held from movement with the seaming head, for changing the otherwise circular path of the seaming element and driving it in an elliptical path.

14. In a head for seaming elliptical shapes, in combination, a seaming element on said head and movable relative thereto and adapted to be carried around the head in a certain path, and toothed gearing and movable parts on said head and connecting the seaming element with a toothed operative part held from turning with the head, for changing the otherwise circular path of the seaming element and driving it in an elliptical path, and means for moving said operative part of the head to correct the path of the seaming element.

15. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, in combination, a gear on said head, a seaming ele-' ment, a seaming lever carryingsaid element, a pivot fixed to the seaming lever, a rotary part on the seaming head and carried thereby in a circular path and located eccentric relative to said pivot and carrying it in a certain path, and rotary gearing connecting said gear on the seaming head and said rotary part and said pivot of the seaming lever, to drive the seaming element away from a circular path and in an elliptical path.

16. In a seaming head for elliptical shapes, in combination, a gear on said head, a seaming element, a seaming lever carrying said seaming element, a pivot fixed to the'seaming lever, a rotary part on the seaming headand carried thereby in a circular path and carrying said pivot in a path circular relative to the rotary part, gearing connecting said gear and rotary part and seaming lever pivot to drive the seaming element in an elliptical path, and means for oscillating said gear to correct the path 01. the seaming element.

17. In a seaming head for elliptical seaming, the comb ation of an elliptical chuck for holding a can an cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotative movementrrelative to said chuck, rotary spindles revolving around with said head, seaming levers having pivots parallel with said spindles, and'e'ccentric thereto and carried by the head, seaming rollers carried by said levers, and a system of gearing tor turning said spindles and pivots and moving said seaming rollers toward and away from the central axis of said chuck during the relative movementbetween it and said body to cause said rollers to describe an elliptical path of travel, and means for shifting chuck, a plurality of seaming rolls, rotary memsaid rollers into seaming and non-seaming position.

18. In a seaming head for elliptical seaming, the combination of an elliptical chuck for holding a can and cover to be seamed, a seaming head body having rotary movement relative to said bers immediately supporting the seaming rolls respectively and meansfor carrying said rotary members around with the seaming head body, and gearing for rotating said rotary members.

STELLAN BIRKLAND. 

